It was a super night for trainer-driver Verlin Yoder, who scored three wins on the Hoosier Champions card, including a strong performance by It’s A Herbie in the $220,000 Indiana Sires Stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters.
Its A Herbie gave trainer-driver Verlin Yoder his third Indiana Sires Stakes Super Final win Friday, Oct. 12 at Hoosier Park. (Photo by Dean Gillette)
Starting from post two against the tough Swandre The Giant from post seven, It’s A Herbie got the first call at the quarter before allowing Swandre The Giant to slide into the top spot just after the halfway mark. It’s a Herbie stayed right at the back of Yannick Gingras until the stretch. Yoder pulled the Here Comes Herbie colt to the challenge and out-trotted Swandre the Giant to the wire, posting a final panel in :28.4 for the win in 1:56.1 by three-quarters of a length. Longshot Martini Show and David Miller rallied late in the stretch for third.
It was the third win of the season in 12 starts for It’s A Herbie, who increased his career bankroll to more than $242,000 for Yoder, who also bred and owns the freshman.
Yoder also connected with Kissesforall in the $220,000 Indiana Sires Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies. Yoder placed the Swan for All filly on the lead from post five and was never challenged, pulling away to a five and one-half length win in 1:57.4. Measuredperfection and Ricky Macomber Jr. finished second while Kota’s Swan and Sam Widger finished third.
Custom Cantab and Peter Wrenn continued their winning ways during Super Night at Hoosier Park. (Photo by Dean Gillette)
Yoder’s night was kicked off with a win in the $70,000 Indiana Sires Stakes for older mare trotters. Compelling sat patiently behind Churita before moving out around the final turn for the stretch drive home. The four-year-old Swan For All mare trotted home in :27.4 to win by one-half length over Churita and Trace Tetrick. Diamond Dagger and Macomber finished third.
Compelling is also owned and trained by Yoder, rounding out his three-win evening at Hoosier Park.
Other Super Night winners included Rockin Nola (two-year-old filly pace), Custom Cantab (three-year-old filly trot), Always Giggling (older mare pace), Bridge to Jesse’s (older horse and gelding trot), It’s Time for Fun (three-year-old filly pace), Egomania (two-year-old colt and gelding pace), Fiftydallarbill (three-year-old colt and gelding trot), Tookadiveoffdipper (older horse and gelding pace), and Always A Prince (three-year-old colt and gelding pace).